Ex-Raider Bruce Irvin signs with Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons made a move to bolster their pass rush by agreeing to a one-year deal with defensive end Bruce Irvin on Wednesday, reuniting the veteran with coach Dan Quinn.

Irvin, cut by the Raiders on Saturday, became a free agent after clearing waivers Tuesday with $3.8 million remaining on his contract. The Falcons play at Cleveland on Sunday.

Irvin, 31, is an Atlanta native. He celebrated his return home by posting on his Twitter account “Man it’s time! You can’t put a price on the chance for me to play for my people and city! It’s bigger than money!”

Irvin was expected to arrive in Atlanta on Wednesday night and join practice Thursday. Quinn said Irvin will play against Cleveland.

The Falcons (4-4) rank 27th in the league with 17 sacks.

Irvin had three sacks with Oakland, but played only nine snaps in a 34-3 loss to the 49ers last Thursday night.

Irvin (6-foot-3, 250) played four seasons with Seattle before joining the Raiders in 2016. He had eight sacks as a rookie in 2012 and matched that career high with Oakland in 2017.

For his career, Irvin has 40 sacks and 15 forced fumbles.

“He’s definitely a big addition to our team,” said defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who has three sacks. “As a player and as a person, we know the personality he plays with matches what we want to portray or have up front, that dog mentality. We’re ready to go hunt.”

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